What’s better than a refreshing sip of lemonade on a hot and humid day? A cold glass of Mint lemonade. This was the perfect inspiration to share a favorite of mine, and check out the adult beverage twist at the end 🍋🍹
Summary:
Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: to write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years—or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives: Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess.
When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, but the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.
“I take a tiny sip of the lemonade, which turns into a long gulp, because it’s amazing, fresh and crisp with torn mint leaves swirling around along with the ice cubes.”
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My thoughts:
This book felt like a mix of classic EmHen romance in the present story with the classic witty banter and undeniable chemistry; but mixed with a historical family drama in the flashbacks of Margarets story, with the drama and secrets, that reminded me a lot of a TJR novel.
It felt different than her previous novels so it’s hard to compare and rank against her other books, but I was still hooked and loved every minute of it.
I loved the development of the relationship between the MCs. Forced proximity is one of my favorite tropes, and these two kept bumping into each other, until they just wanted to spend more and more time together. Alice was so open from the start, but Hayden went from quiet and reserved, to full on committed to making something work with Alice.
And I also enjoyed the drama and the mystery of Margaret’s story. While I had my suspicions there was something she was hiding and I did guess one correctly, I didn’t see the big reveal coming and that twist was completely unexpected.
The problem they encountered towards the end was the most heartbreaking and the saddest I’ve read and it really really broke me.
The narration by Julia Whelan was superb as always.
There was no doubt in my mind as I was reading this book that I should make donuts. Now Blueberry cake donuts filled with Lemon curs were a bit too complex, but these Blueberry donuts with lime glaze hit the perfect sweet spot. I hope yall can try them out! 🍩
Summary:
A lottery ticket + donuts = love in this steamy new fake dating romance. When Sybil accidentally leaves behind her winning lottery ticket in Kiran’s donut shop, his attempt to find her goes viral and sales at his family’s donut shop soar. So of course, to help save his shop, he and Sybil fake date, and it doesn’t take long for real feelings to bloom.
“Filled is good.” She said. “Filled to overflowing with…” she leaned forward and lowered her voice, the words raspy to anove a whisper and so fucking sexy that it took my brain a moment to register she was saying something else “lemon curd”.
If you make it or share it please tag me 🤩
Ingredients
My thoughts:
This was a fun fake dating story
I enjoyed Sybil and Kiran meet cute, and that definitely escalated quickly 🔥
The twist of the winning lottery ticket was fun
I liked Kierans devotion to his family and helping his grandfather
I didn’t like how Sybil’s family treated, thankfully she had a great group of supportive friends. I’m happy she was able to find her voice and tell them how they made her feel
I thought she should have owned up to how her actions affected those around her, I don’t think she took responsibility for them enough. Even after the reveal at the end, I think there should have been a bigger reconing from her part.
The narration by Emma Ladji and Teddy Hamilton was perfect
New year brings a redesigned look for my recipe and review series, Can’t wait to hear what y’all think about it and Work in Progress by Kat MacKenzie.
From thevery first moment Alice and Robbie meet, they don’t have a meet-cute, they have a meet-ugly. He thinks she’s and entitled American brat, she thinks he’s an inconsiderate Scottish bastard. They hate each other, until they don’t.
In the process, they share a lovely, middle of the night snack, I couldn’t help but try to replicate: 2AM chicken sandwiches with homemade mayo and pints.
I wish I had the ability to make tea with scones and clotted cream, ans rhey often had in this book, but it proved too complex for this format.
“Truce? He asked. “Well, only temporarily, of course. Until we refuel. Then we can go back to trying to kill each other with renewed vigor.”
“Truce,” I agreed…..
“How about a sandwich and a pint? Will it do, do you think?”… Together we moved around, busily slicing bread, shaving chunky cuts of roast chicken, washing and chopping the tomatoes and lettuce, and sourcing various cheeses and condiments…. “You’ll have to wait a bit longer to give me time to make a proper mayonnaise, and after seeing that look on your face, I don’t trust you enough to turn my back on you for even a second.”
“Make a mayonnaise? Mayonnaise isn’t something that’s made… it’s something that’s bought… in a gallon jar… at Walmart.”
His eyes widened dramatically, and he scoffed. “I rescind the former compliment. You have no taste…”
If you make it or share it please tag me 🤩
“The only way I’d warm up to you is if I set you on fire first”
Summary:
Alice needs a fresh start. After her horrible breakup, losing her job, nothing seems to be going right. She makes a sour of the moment decision and books a UK literary , women only, bus tour that promises camaraderie and fun. But finds a bus full of elderly ladies plus one irritating and handsome Scottish driver.
My thoughts:
I really love this one. Mention Jamie Fraser and send me traipsing around Scotland too please!
I enjoyed the travel romance concept. And a literary tour of the UK sounds like a dream. It made for a fun reading, looking up the different places they visited. The characters always going and seeing something new.
I liked that the side characters where this troupe of lovely elderly ladies, they acted like loving grandmas, and took Alice under their collective wings. Providing her with much needed wisdom, and a good dose of gossip and showing her, that her initial impression was so wrong.
Many of the situations were a bit far fetched, but still made for funny and entertaining moments that had me laughing despite the unlikelihood of it all.
Part of the plot does relies on miscommunication or misunderstanding, it’s a trope I don’t usually likeC it was undertsadable due to the circumstance, but still always wish for the characters to speak like adults to each other.
I loved the slow burn relationship development between Alice and Robbie. Once they got over their aversion, they really had time to get to spend time together and get to know each other well.
This is a relative low spice book with no explicit scenes, so if youre into romance with closed doors or barely open, this is a great choice for you.
Loved the nods to tons of books, characters, settings.
Overall, I think this was a great This was a debut novel and I will happily await more books by this author.
Thank you @avonbooks for the gifted copy of the book.
Would you go on a literary tour? What would your destination be?
This is my 5th year participating as a reviewer for Multicultural Children’s book day. This year I was assigned 2 books, and today I’m excited to share my review for the second of them.
Estado de la Unión / State of the Union by Kitty Felde is a MG contemporary fiction novel. It’s the second in the Fina Mendoza mystery series that features Josefina (Financial) a 10 yo daughter of Mexican-American congressman, as she discovers living in Washington DC and hanging around in the Capitol.
In this book, she pairs with Senator Something, the dog she walks after school to help solve the mystery of the bird that pooped on the Presidents head during thr State of the Union address.
The setting is interesting and definitely educational for kids to learn about the different branches of government, special events like the State of the Union address, democratic participation in this case and peaceful protest for immigration, etc.
The mystery itself is simple, and Fina goes about it asking questions and investigating by reasearching online, and asking people like bird experts from the zoo. It also has complex family dinamics, specially between their grandmother who loves from California to help them at home and Fina’s older sister Gaby; and also their father.
Overall the book was entertaining and a great tool for introducing civics education to kids. There are also free educational guides available for teacher to download and use in their classrooms.
Thank you to Chesapeake press and Read Your World for this gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Read Your World 2025 (1/30/25) is in its 13th year! Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen founded this non-profit children’s literacy initiative; they are two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural diverse books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.
Read Your World’s mission is to raise awareness of the need to include kids’ books celebrating diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about our Mission and history HERE.
Read Your World is honored to be Supported by these Medallion:
Join us on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 9 pm EST celebrating 13 years of Read Your World Day Virtual Party! Register here.
This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.
We will be giving away a 10-Book Bundle during the virtual party plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants are welcome. **
Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, and connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. We look forward to seeing you all on January 30, 2025, at our virtual party!
This is my 5th year participating as a reviewer for Multicultural Children’s book day. This year I was assigned 2 books, and today I’m excited to share my review for the first of them.
The Pecan Sheller by Lupe Ruiz-Flores is a MG historical fiction novel set in the late 1930s in Texas. Following the Great Depression, the Pecan industry that had terrible work conditions and relied mostly on immigrant and child labor, significantly cut wages to its workers.
Petra, a thirteen-year-old girl has to leave school and get a job shelling pecans with her stepmom after her father’s death in order to help take care of her younger siblings.
The setting of this story is important, it seems ludicrous that a young child would be taken out of school to work in such horrible conditions. Yet, before workers rights, this was commonplace. And it’s the movement for workers rights that takes center stage, and Petra’s role within it, her journey and growth bring out the brave young woman she is, fighting not only for herself and her family, but for her work friends.
This book delt with some very difficult topics and I appreciated how well it tackled them. It was set in a period I was unfamiliar with. I really enjoyed the fact that I learned new things, and I think it’s a great tool for young readers to become familiar with a time when things where so different. I would have loved for her writing to be a bigger part of the story. As a little side note, I liked that the author wrote this novel to honor her mother and grandmother whi were Pecan shellers.
This novel comes out April 1. Thanks to Lerner Books and Read Your World for this gifted ARC. All opinions are my own.
Read Your World 2025 (1/30/25) is in its 13th year! Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen founded this non-profit children’s literacy initiative; they are two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural diverse books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.
Read Your World’s mission is to raise awareness of the need to include kids’ books celebrating diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about our Mission and history HERE.
Read Your World is honored to be Supported by these Medallion:
Join us on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 9 pm EST celebrating 13 years of Read Your World Day Virtual Party! Register here.
This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.
We will be giving away a 10-Book Bundle during the virtual party plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants are welcome. **
Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, and connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. We look forward to seeing you all on January 30, 2025, at our virtual party!
I have a very hard time picking just one favorite book, so this past few years I’ve been picking my favorites by category and genre, sometimes adding or removing a few depending on what I read this year.
So without further ado, here are the books that I loved for 2024
Fiction:
Mystery & Thriller:Listen for the lie by Amy Tintera
This was a #bookstagrammademedoit pick. I went in almost blind, and it truly surprised me. The story had me instantly hooked. I was suspicious of everyone and everything, second guessing every one of my predictions every time a new detail was revealed throughout. The MC was great as an unreliable narrator, and how she involved herself with the podcast host who was looking into her case, it had me feeling like I was witnessing a train wreck as it happened in slow motion. The podcast addition was great. It was so twisty and fast paced, I couldn’t stop listening. I loved the dual audiobook narrators, who really made the story come alive.
Runner up: One perfect couple by Ruth Ware
Historical Fiction: Daughter of Moloka’i by Alan Brennert
Moloka’i was one of my favorite books of 2023, I knew I had to read the follow up. The story follows Ruth, the daughter pf Rachel, the protagonist from Moloka’i, her story was at times so different but in many aspects so similar to that of her moms. In Ruth’s story, we see how she’s adopted into a loving family, and how she grows to be an adult that faces tragedy and uncertainty. The parts during Japanese internment were specially heartbreaking. I loved getting to see Rachel again, how their stories finally connect and how they develop a relationship as adults.
Overall, both are amazing and beautifully written novels, that I highly recommend.
Runner up: Anita de Monte laughs last by Xochitl Gonzalez
Adult Contemporary: And so I roar by Abi Daré
I honestly went into this book blind, just knowing it was the follow up to The Girl with the Louding voice was enough for me. Adunni once again ginds herself having to fight for her basic rights, of freedom, of getting an education, of living a full life where she want to give back to her community. Ultimately the story and message are beautiful, uplifting and powerful, but not before taking us through harrowing, gut wrenching and heartbreaking moments. Adunni goes through moments where we think nothing will change, but she’s willing to fight to the very end, to roar to be heard, since she’s not even aloud to have a voice. She magages to make it to the other side, having shown how resilient and strong she is, and helping other girls in her village also have a voice to speak for themselves.
The audiobook narrator brought the story and the characters to life. Like the first book, this story will stay with me for a long time. I think both books are must reads.
Young Adult Fantasy: Ruthless vows by Rebecca Ross
This was the perfect sequel to conclude this beautiful duology. The pacing felt perfect, there was more action but it didn’t feel rushed. We learn more about the Gods, their magic and the magical world in this book, but still, the historical fiction feel remains. This one deals more with separation, loss, and grief, we see the people, not just the flashy parts of war, but those that are affected deeply by the conflict. There were so many emotions in the end, it had my heart breaking and reattaching itself over and over. I loved the audiobooks having the 2 POV with each narrator doing a fantastic job.
Runner up: A tall dark trouble by Vanessa Montalban
Cozy Fantasy: Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
I absolutely loved this book and this series. The story is again told through Emily’s academic journal entries, I find her footnotes to be so amusing and informative at the same time. The author does such a fantastic job making you feel inside the story, with such detailed and nuanced descriptions. There was more action from the start kept the story moving at a good pace, then coupled with the different magical locations, with a new set of Folk and magical creatures is so incredibly charming. I enjoyed how the MCs relationship develops from reluctant colleagues, to friends to lovers. And I absolutely love their constant banter.
As the previous, the narrator was just absolutely perfect. This was the perfect sequel and exceeded all my expectations.
Magical Realism: The Cemetery of untold stories by Julia Alvarez
This novel was an absolute treat to read. I found this one to be the perfect mix of contemporary, historical and magical realism that somehow works.
My favorite character was Filomena, so quiet and humble, she’s been underrated her whole life. But it’s to her that the characters of Alma’s stories start to speak to. I loved how all of them were masterfully weaved together. The characters felt like old family and friends. The audiobook narration was fantastic.
As a writer, I also have stories and characters that haunt me. So the focus of this book really spoke to me, the importance of stories, memories, who gets to tell them and how sometimes, some things are better left burried.
Runner up: We need no wings by Ann Davila Cardinal
Fantasy Romance: When the moon hatched (Moonfall #1) by Sarah A Parker
I don’t think I can do this book justice. I think it deserves all the hype it got and then some. Initially took me a while to understand what was going on, but the story had me engaged and constantly thinking, as it has so many layers and intricacies. But when they all clicked together I was honestly mindblown.
I felt connected to the characters and felt their emotions as they played out in the story. I absolutely loved the story, the characters, the romance, the action, the steam… and the descriptions made everything feel so beautiful and I was lost in the magic. The audio narration was fantastic as well.
Runner up: Throne of Secrets by Kerri Maniscalco
Adult Romance: The Paradise problem by Christina Lauren
CLo wrote the perfect summer romance book with a mix of banter and lust and over the top richness. The characters, appearing polar opposites, had enough in common to hit is off, with a simmering burn that then exploded into perfect amount of spice. I loved how they faced things and discussed them head on, avoided the “insta love” and managed to given them time to properly fall into each others lives, making it believable despite the unbelievable circumstances of the whole event.
Runner up: Funny story by Emily Henry
Poetry: Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
I can’t believe I waited so long to read this one. I savored every poem and I felt so many spoke to me and my feelings at different parts of my life. Even those that didn’t, I could still feel the emotions and the turmoil. I will be reading this again.
Graphic Novel:Lightfall series by Tim Probert
I have absolutely loved reading this series. The development of the characters and the story, with beautiful and colorful illustrations that bring this wonderful and cosy fantasy world to life.
Runner up: Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp
Middle grade: Impossible creatures by Katherine Rundell
This book is a gem. It’s been getting a lot of hype worh good reason. There isn’t anything particularly new or original about it, 2 kids trying to fix a big problem imthat has the potential to destroy the world as we now it, trials to be faced, magical creatures, interesting and fun side characters. Yet, the way the author has come up with the story m, feels so original. The feelings the story stirs up, going through a wide range of emotions but managing to end up feeling hopeful and uplifted.
Runner up: Something like home by Andrea Beatriz Arango.
Children’sPicture Book: Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, illustrated by Yas Imamura
This beautifully story brings to life a horrible chapter in American history. While in the Japanese internment camps a couple meets and falls in love. It teaches in a easy to understand manner for children what happened, yet it highlights that even among all the horrific circumstances, still there hope of something pure and good to flourish. Despite being a children’s book, I think this one can be appreciated by anyone at any age.
Non-Fiction
Memoir: The diary of Anne Frank graphic adaptation by Ari Folman & ilustrated by David Polonsky
This graphic adaptation of the story of Anne Frank and her family when they went into hiding during the WWII was masterfully adapted and illustrated. I read Anne Frank’s diary in the past, but this version gave me a different reading experience and helped me visualize the setting much better. The graphic format can make it more accessible to readers who might not read the whole version.
Personal Development:Atomic Habits
This book was so surprising in a positive way. I found the information to be helpful in my work and a topic I usually discuss with my patients and feel it will be of benefit.
So that’s it for this year. I’m looking forward to keeping the same diversity as I had this year and maybe read more nonfiction.
I’m usually skeptical of fruity drinks because I find the sweetness often overpoweres the taste. However, when Leo was tasked with making a signature cocktail for his sister’s wedding, one of the drink descriptions caught my eye and I decided to try to come up with a mix to bring it to life.
The last think Sofi expected when she came home from work on Monday evening was to be swiftly corralled into the distillery for an impromptu taste tasting. According to Kamila, the wedding party was getting together to choose a signature drink for the reception, which was news to Sofi, the planner of said reception.…..
Sofi sniffed and took a sip of her drink which tasted like a blackberry sweet tea with a tart kick of lime, spicy ginger and the warmth of smooth whiskey.
“This is good!” she told him, “a bit too boozy, but good”
If you make it or share it please tag me 🤩
“By the end of the night he wasn’t sure which drink had been chosen as the best or even if they’d voted at all.”
Ingredients
Summary:
Leo Vega’s love life has been on life support since long before the gunshot wound that put him on leave from the fire department. Sofi, the woman he’s had a secret on-again, off-again relationship with for years is bsck from her year long absence and she’s ready to patch things up with her best friend Kamilah, Leo’s sister. When they are pushed into a tense roommate situation, and tasked with helping set up Kamilah’s wedding, It becomes almost impossible for them to ignore their feelings.
My thoughts:
The Vega’s are back! I love this multigenerational, and multicultural book series. It follows The Vega family, a close-knit Puerto Rican family in Humboldt Park, Chicago. Each story centers around a grandchild of a mischievous and matchmaking abuelo, in this case we have Leo and his sisters best friend Sofi who he has been in a secret on-again, off-again relationship with for years.
I loved Leo, with his history of being a goofball, he struggles to get the one he loves to hake him seriously. But he has matured and is so dedicated and loving, he’s the sweetheart of the two. He’s also a musician and singer and that always makes me swoon.
Sofi is fire and spice, she is independent and strong. She is also trying to figure out what she wants in her future, that starts with getting her BFF back, but it also means facing her other relationships with her former beau and her father, and situations she would prefer not having to face.
These two make a seriously hot pair, their chemistry is evident and because of their history, it doesn’t take long for the heat to start burning both. The steam was perfect for them and oh so delicious.
We had a great combo of thropes: best friend’s brother, second chance romance, close proximity. I also love the meddling grandparents, here our dear Abuelo Papo teams with Sofi’s abuela Fina.
I love how the author always manages to insert important topics like complicated family relationships, mental health, loss, gentrification, etc..
If you haven’t read any in this series I really recommend checking them out!
What’s your favorite drink? Boozy or otherwise, and when did you last have it?
For my final Holiday gift guide of the year we have the Graphic Novels. We are all huge fans of GN in our house and this list reflects that, we’ve read from across genres and age groups and here are some of our favorites:
Reading age 5-8
The Investigators series by John Patrick Green
The Cardboard Kingdom series by Chad Sell and collaborators
Doodleville and Doodleville 2 by Chad Sell
Reading age 9 – 13
The Lightfall series by Tim Probert
Noodle and Bao by Shaina Lu
Doodles from the boogie down by Stephanie Rodriguez
Ink girls by Marieke Nijkamp & Sylvia Bi
Camp Prodigy by Caroline Palmer
Unhappy camper by Lily Lamotte, Ann Xu & Sunmi
Table Titans Club by Scott Kurtz
Survive the Outdoors by Mike Lawrence
City of Dragons series by Jaimal Yogis, ilustrated by Vivian Truong
Reading age 14 and up
The diary of Anne Frank graphic adaptation by Ari Folman & ilustrated by David Polonsky
Yaqui Delgado Wants to kick your ass graphic adaptation by Meg Medina ilustrated by Mel Valentine Vargas
Brooms by Jasmine Walls & Teo Duvall
All of these range from funny and silly, to sweet, to tackling series subjects and dealing with life and growing up. Genres range from realistic fiction, to fantasy to everything in between. There is so much variety in graphic novels these days and I’m here for it.
Today’s list of book gift ideas for middle grade readers (8-12 yo) and YA comes with the assistance of my lovely 14 yo daughter. Since she started venturing into some YA territory and we narrowed our favorites to share today.
So in no particular order:
Middle grade:
The Selkies Daughter by Linda Crotta Brennan
Something like home by Andrea Beatriz Arango
Kicked out by AM Dassu
Release the Wolves by Stephan Bachmann
Lily Xiao Speaks out by Nicole Chen
The one and only family by Katherine Applegate
The Wild robot by Peter Brown
Land of Broken promises by Jane Kuo
Lola Reyes is so not worried by Cindy L. Rodriguez
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
– Ghost by Jason Reynolds
Young Adult:
Divine Rivals & Ruthless vows by Rebecca Ross
A drop of Venom by Sajni Patel
Twin Flames by Olivia Abtahi
A tall dark trouble by Vanessa Montalban
– The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the galaxy by Douglas Adams
Nonfiction:
Lifeskills book for teens by Maureen Stiles
Do you ever read middle grade or young adult books?
Here is my annual compilation of books we’ve enjoyed throughout the year and would make great holiday gifts.
I love giving books as gifts for all occasions specially around the holidays as they are a great way to promote love of reading from a young age.
New for this year are chapter books, as my kids continue to get older they’ve started reading more of them and even venturing into MG land.
So in no particular order:
Picture books:
1. Angélica and La Güira by Angie Cruz, illustrated by Luz Batista
2. The 1619 project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones & Renée Watson, illustrated by Nikkolas Smith
3. A face is a poem by Julie Morstad
4. Being home by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Michaela Goade
5. Why do we sing? by Sam Tsui & Casey Breves, illustrated by Sam Tsui
6. Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, illustrated by Yas Imamura
7. The heavy bag by Sarah Surgey, illustrated by Larisa Ivankovic
8. No more Señora Mimí by Meg Medina, illustrated by Brittany Cicchese
9. I am La Chiva by Karol Hernández, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gómez
Chapter books:
1. Kwame’s magic quest by Bernard Mensah, illustrated by Natasha Nayo
2. Henry, like always & Henry and the something new by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song
3. The Kids in Mrs. z’s Class, various authors
Most of these books are appropriate for ages 3 and above and can be read to them by adults or by young readers who are learning to read on their own. They also reflect our emphasis on reading diverse books throughout the year.
I have reviewed most of them in previous IG posts. You can also check out my recommendations from previous years here and also on IG.
Have you read any of these with your kids? Do you like to gift books?
For the love of Libros 